What can you do with a Biochemistry degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

First, some facts. Of the Biochemistry graduates from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 24 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 71%, Biochemistry graduates from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have a slightly higher likelihood (+4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 71%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 75% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Biochemistry graduate.

See the details:

View a random Biochemistry graduate from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and our analysis:


Relevance score: 98%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biochemistry. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Tutor
Varsity Tutors
May 2013 - Aug 2013
While being a tutor may indirectly involve some knowledge of biochemistry, the core qualifications of tutoring do not require a specific degree in the field, making it somewhat relevant but not directly tied to the major.

Pediatric Resident
Washington University in St. Louis
Jun 2016 - Jun 2019
As a Pediatric Resident, the job utilizes biochemistry knowledge and skills substantially in medical practice and patient care, making it highly relevant to the Bachelor's degree.

Pediatrician
Erie Family Health Center
Aug 2019 - Present
As a Pediatrician, this role demands extensive application of biochemistry in clinical settings, making it directly applicable and highly relevant to the degree earned.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
2012 - 2016
ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Biochemistry degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the jobs held by alumni from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who majored in Biochemistry, it’s clear that there are a few common career paths. Many graduates end up in roles such as Clinical Pharmacists, Pharmacy Residents, or in various capacities within the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Positions like Clinical Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician are very relevant since they require a solid understanding of biochemistry to navigate drug interactions and patient care effectively. Other notable careers involve research, where biochemistry knowledge is crucial for experiments, such as roles in pharmaceutical companies like AbbVie and Biogen, where they might be involved in drug development and biochemical analysis.

However, not all paths are directly linked to biochemistry. Some graduates take on roles that don't heavily rely on their degree, like operations managers or administrative roles in healthcare settings. While some might use basic knowledge of biochemistry, others are pretty far removed from that field altogether. Overall, while many are successfully working in roles that strongly relate to their Biochemistry degree, there are also quite a number of alumni in jobs where that expertise isn’t the main focus, showing a diverse range of career outcomes for those who study this subject.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Biochemistry graduates (this is across all Biochemistry graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign):

What kind of career trajectories do Biochemistry graduates from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Biochemistry degree have predominantly pursued careers in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and research. Many of them tend to start off in entry-level positions related to pharmacy, clinical research, or healthcare services right after graduation. For instance, roles like pharmacy technicians or clinical research assistants are common first jobs, which help them gain practical experience in the field. As they progress, these individuals often transition into higher-level positions such as clinical pharmacists, hospitalists, researchers, or even consultants at reputable organizations. It's clear that a significant number have found their footing in careers that are closely related to their Biochemistry studies, like pharmacy, clinical practice, or medical research.

Fast forward five to ten years, and it looks like most of these grads have continued on fruitful paths. Many have advanced into specialized roles or leadership positions in their respective fields. For example, several graduates have moved up the ranks to become pharmacists in clinical settings, scientists in the biotech industry, or are making strides in research-focused roles at universities and hospitals. A few have ventured into consultancy roles, demonstrating the adaptability of their skills. Overall, it seems that a degree in Biochemistry from UIUC lays a solid foundation for a successful career in science and health-related fields, allowing graduates to make notable contributions in their professions.

How hard is a Biochemistry degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

A Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, especially at a well-respected school like the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is definitely on the challenging side. You’ll dive into complex topics like molecular biology, enzymology, and metabolism, which can be pretty intense and require a solid foundation in chemistry and biology. The coursework tends to be rigorous, with a mix of lectures, lab work, and sometimes demanding exams that really test your understanding. While some students find it super fascinating and engaging, others might struggle with the heavy workload and the abstract concepts you’ll be dealing with. So, in a nutshell, it’s not a walk in the park, but if you’re passionate about the subject, it can also be really rewarding!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Biochemistry.

Do Biochemistry graduates from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Biochemistry graduates from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, it seems like they've generally landed decent gigs in the healthcare and biotech fields, which often pay pretty well. For the most part, alumni from 2010 to 2016 have moved up the ladder into roles as pharmacists, physicians, or scientists—positions that usually come with solid salaries. Even those on newer paths, like the 2020 grads, show promise as they've secured jobs in healthcare or management, which tend to be well-paying too. So, overall, it looks like they’ve managed to make good money, especially compared to many other fields!

What buzzwords do Biochemistry graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Biochemistry (this is across all Biochemistry graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Biochemistry?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Biochemistry (ordered by the average relevance score of their Biochemistry graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Penn State University 86 16
The Ohio State University 85 13
Georgia Institute of Technology 85 10
University of California San Diego 84 10
University of California, Santa Cruz 83 20
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 81 12
Binghamton University 81 10
University of California, Berkeley 80 35
Northeastern University 80 16
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 79 14
University of Massachusetts Amherst 77 16
Stony Brook University 76 13
University of California, Davis 75 34
North Carolina State University 74 11
Appalachian State University 73 10
Virginia Tech 73 18
University of Washington 71 51
University of Wisconsin-Madison 71 25
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 71 24
University of South Florida 70 17
University of California, Los Angeles 70 32
University of Michigan 70 16
San Francisco State University 70 14
Arizona State University 69 27
University of Florida 69 10
University of Arizona 69 16
Missouri State University 68 11
University of Colorado Boulder 66 15
University of California, Riverside 65 18
Boston University 65 10
Towson University 64 14
Boston College 63 13
Kennesaw State University 61 11
University of Oklahoma 61 11
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 60 14
Clemson University 60 13
The University of Texas at Austin 59 36
University of Connecticut 59 15
Temple University 58 10
The University of Texas at Dallas 56 10
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 49 10